Outreach Assistant

Job Description

Job Description

Union Gospel Mission Position Description

POSITION TITLE: Outreach Assistant

REPORTS TO:  Homeless Outreach Manager

SUPERVISES:  N/A

LOCATION:  3 NW Third Avenue; a significant part of the role will take place outside of the Union Gospel Mission Facility

STATUS:  Part-time, non-exempt, up to 20 hours per week

WAGE: $19 per hour

OVERALL POSITION DESCRIPTION:         

This position will focus on helping to assist men, women and children, directing them toward services that help to meet the root cause of their homelessness – health care, mental health care, drug and alcohol treatment and supportive housing. The Outreach Assistant will coordinate shower ministry once or twice weekly and provide outreach support to The Union Gospel Mission shelter and other shelters in the community.

The Outreach Assistant will provide mobile outreach services to individuals who experience homelessness outside of the City Center. During overnight shelter the Outreach Assistant will support check-in once or twice weekly (8-10:30pm) and fill in overnight as needed.

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:

• Provide basic needs such as food, water, clothing, and temporary shelter in emergency situations.
• Provide pastoral care, guidance and support.
• Respond to people experiencing acute crisis or escalated/unregulated states through a trauma informed and strengths-based approach.
• Provide case management to connect people to transitional services through Union Gospel Mission and other organizations.
• Provide individual care coordination to support people in navigating systems of care.
• Schedule appointments and make referrals for individuals with health/social services agencies.
• Provide advocacy at the individual and community levels.
• Have an understanding or willingness to learn about local resources and develop meaningful relationships with partner agencies.
• Work alongside shelter staff, LifeChange and volunteers in Homeless Outreach Ministries.
• Assist with check-in, clean up, and work overnight as needed.
• Work with people experiencing homelessness who express a desire to enter LifeChange recovery, transformational housing or other services.
• Monitor and report on quantitative and qualitative progress and outcomes.
• Meet with volunteers, churches, and non-profit organizations to represent Union Gospel Mission, network, and build partnerships.
• Coordinate shower ministry once or twice weekly.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Committed Christ-follower.
• Experience with a diverse group of church denominations.
• Driver license/clean record.
• Strong personal, organizational, and project management skills.
• Warm yet professional demeanor.
• Comfortable working with a wide diversity of stakeholders including volunteers, the LifeChange recovery community, daily mission visitors.
• Able to deal with tense interactions with skill and diplomacy.
• Excellent de-escalation skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and public-speaking skills.
• Able to quickly solve problems; creative, and self-starter.
• Proven ability to collaborate with a team and produce excitement and support for new initiatives.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Internet.
• Experience driving 15-passenger van or equivalent sized vehicle.
• Associate or bachelor’s Degree in case management, mental health, or related field (preferred)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• A criminal history and background check are required and must be successfully completed. Compliance with providing a sample for pre-hire urinalysis (UA).
• Ability to lift at least 50 lbs. unassisted
• Ability to walk up and down steep, muddy hills

FAITH COMMITMENT:

Character: Strong commitment to the vision and values of Union Gospel Mission, have a passion for the gospel, and a desire to serve the homeless, broken, and addicted. Must be a follower of Jesus Christ and actively involved in a local Christian church. Must adhere to UGM’s statement of faith and standards of conduct.

As a faith-based non-profit, UGM seeks individuals who align with our understanding of biblical and moral teaching as expressed in the UGM Statement of Faith:

We believe:

• The Bible is the Word of God
• There is one God, eternally existing as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
• Jesus Christ was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died on the cross, rose from the dead, and will come again in power and glory
• People are saved by grace through faith in Jesus, and that faith is expressed by confession and repentance
• The Holy Spirit empowers believers to know and worship God

PLEASE SEND A RESUME WITH YOUR APPLICATION.